Perjury in Dixie County, Florida

Perjury cases in Dixie County result in conviction at notably high rates. Two-thirds of defendants are found guilty, while a quarter receive adjudication withheld—a Florida-specific outcome that allows judges to find guilt without recording a formal conviction on the defendant's record. Combined, these outcomes account for over 91 percent of cases. The county has not dismissed any perjury charges in this dataset, compared to a statewide dismissal rate of 1.7 percent, suggesting that Dixie County prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively once filed. The diversion rate of 8.3 percent slightly exceeds the statewide average of 6.2 percent, indicating a modest pathway out of the criminal justice system for some defendants.

When defendants are convicted or have adjudication withheld, sentences are substantial. Half of all defendants receive prison time, with an average sentence of 763 days and probation averaging 1,507 days. The median sentence of 396 days suggests that some cases resolve more leniently while others receive significantly longer terms, creating wide variation in outcomes. Only 12.5 percent of defendants in this small sample had public defender representation, indicating that most defendants retained private counsel or represented themselves—a factor that may influence both case processing and sentencing decisions.